The Secret Behind Nili Market’s Success in Daikundi

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Daikundi, 05 Feb 2017 — Nili, the capital city of Daikundi province has always had a market, but no one used it much because it was filthy and difficult to reach. The people requested something be done and so the Government of Afghanistan and UNDP provided roads, toilets, drinking water and a landfill site for waste. Now people can get to the market, spend a longer time there, and the whole place is cleaner and healthier. This not only improves people’s daily quality of life, but also boosts the economy.

Located in the central region, Daikundi was established as a province in 2014. It is the second largest Hazara region, with Hazaras making up 86% of the population. The province is agriculturally one of the least productive provinces in the country. Its land is mostly barren and inaccessible, especially during the harsh winter, which lasts for about six months. Water shortages and food insecurity are widespread.

To help develop Daikundi, UNDP has not only provided infrastructure – like the improvements in Nili market – we have also built capacity at the Governor’s Office, Provincial Councils and Nili Municipality. Our work has improved the way local government operates, making local services more efficient and accountable.

In Nili, UNDP worked with the mayor’s office to find out what the people needed and then fund low cost/big impact government works. UNDP also helped Nili municipality mayor’s office deliver better services and be more accountable by supporting the mayor’s office to collect more tax revenue and developed a system to track use of funds.

In October 2015, UNDP launched a successor project to support and strengthen local governance in Afghanistan. The project builds capacity in provincial governors’ offices; improves municipalities’ revenue generation, accountability and service delivery; and assists civil society organizations to monitor local government.